What purpose does the seat back hole serve?

[nkemp]

I see multiple posts on seat back problems and rebuilding them. But I was wundering what purpose the hole in the seat back serves?

The reason they break is that they are so narrow on the sides. If it is for ventilation, then using multiple smaller holes would result in a stronger back. Even using pegboard might be a better alternative to the big hole.

Thoughts?

[Ryan King]

I see multiple posts on seat back problems and rebuilding them. But I was wundering what purpose the hole in the seat back serves?

The reason they break is that they are so narrow on the sides. If it is for ventilation, then using multiple smaller holes would result in a stronger back. Even using pegboard might be a better alternative to the big hole.

Thoughts?

Ive thought the same thing...but it could be for flex or for clearance of the rear springs on the seats?

[DMCMW Dave]

I see multiple posts on seat back problems and rebuilding them. But I was wundering what purpose the hole in the seat back serves?

The reason they break is that they are so narrow on the sides. If it is for ventilation, then using multiple smaller holes would result in a stronger back. Even using pegboard might be a better alternative to the big hole.

Thoughts?

Clearance. If you make a new back with no hole, when you sit in the seat you'll either pop the back off or it just won't "feel" right. Depending on how you are built.

They actually don't work all that bad until they get damp for a long time. In most cars, there is no problem with the seat back. I'd put the occurrence of broken/falling off seatbacks at less than 20% of the cars. A lot to be sure, but not anywhere near all of them.

[nkemp]

Makes sense. I never noticed that the backs pushed back that far. Maybe it is my super tight original skins are holding me forward.

[Nicholas R]

Clearance. If you make a new back with no hole, when you sit in the seat you'll either pop the back off or it just won't "feel" right. Depending on how you are built.

They actually don't work all that bad until they get damp for a long time. In most cars, there is no problem with the seat back. I'd put the occurrence of broken/falling off seatbacks at less than 20% of the cars. A lot to be sure, but not anywhere near all of them.

Do you find there to be any correlation to whether or not the seats have been recovered? Mine have and my seat backs pop off all the time. I have a feeling that they're fine from the factory, but once you take a seat apart, they never quite go back together the same.

[DMCMW Dave]

Do you find there to be any correlation to whether or not the seats have been recovered? Mine have and my seat backs pop off all the time. I have a feeling that they're fine from the factory, but once you take a seat apart, they never quite go back together the same.

Not really. To be gentle I believe that the condition of the seats/backs has to do with the physical build of the prior owner.

[NightFlyer]

Not really. To be gentle I believe that the condition of the seats/backs has to do with the physical build of the prior owner.

No need to mince words around here Dave :wink:

[TheSmokingMan]

My seat backs were fine before my seats were recovered. Now both backs pop off. Still trying to figure out a fix.

[DMCMW Dave]

My seat backs were fine before my seats were recovered. Now both backs pop off. Still trying to figure out a fix.

Is the wood (paper) compromised in any way?